Travel the World: A few of the most beautiful libraries

Endless rows of bookshelves with kilos if not tons of books. Libraries are an ode to lifelong learning; they are temples of education. On a city trip, libraries are ideal places to spend some quiet time. The amazing atmosphere, one experiences when surrounded by books amplified by stunning architecture is an exquisite experience. Follow me around the world. If you are a curious traveller, a bookworm and a fan of architecture, you are going to want to visit all these magnificent libraries.

Travel Europe. One place to visit for every month of the year

Europe, who doesn’t love it? The culture, the food, the people, the landscape. It is varied, fun, colourful, educating, Europe and its hundreds of towns, places, villages, beaches, and mountains. All that comes with this variety is just what everyone dreams of experiencing at least once in their lifetimes. Here comes a choice of places, always one to visit, for every month of the year. These are all tried and tested, many several times and in any case, tested in the month they are recommended here.

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes.

13 inspiring books to read for your trip to New York City

Do you know what is so great? Visiting New York and reading stories about it or reading stories about it before you visit. Either way, you can dig deep into a place the more you read about it. The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger, Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote or The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald are probably the classic tales that made you want to visit New York City (ever since you first read these).

It holds a certain fascination to read a story about New York City,

Travel Estonia. Fotografiska - The Power of Photography

You find Fotografiska, a photographic art centre, in Telliskivi Creative City. This is the creative hub of Tallinn, created by entrepreneurs, artisans and designers. Designs, food and wares are offered in small shops housed in revamped industrial buildings. We live in different times now; factories usually aren't of much use anymore. It is a delight to see when towns, investors, and architects honour the past while creating a future with new life in old derelict industrial sites.

Some people have a vision. This place is all about that. Fotografiska is a place where a dream became a reality. The centre was created by Estonian entrepreneurs, the founders of Fotografiska Tallinn are Maarja Loorents and Margit Aasmäe. They brought Fotografiska, a form of a franchise model, to Estonia. Fotografiska International was founded by brothers Jan and Per Broman in Stockholm in Sweden. Fotografiska Stockholm, housed in the red brick Art Nouveau Stora Tullhuset, sits directly on Stockholms harbour. The brand offers the opportunity to present international exhibitions.

Travel Estonia – Visit the Tallinn Christmas Market in 2019

One thing is for sure. The festive season is here. Festivities and preparations are in full swing. Same goes for Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. The Christmas Market is on every winter right in the centre on the Town Hall Square. This year it runs from 15th November 2019 till the 7th January 2020. Stalls offer local Christmas delicacies, hot mulled wine and grog, woollen jumpers, beanies, gloves, socks and slippers and handicrafts and Christmas ornaments. You can even chat to Santa, who often resides in the onsite cottage. One stallholder praises her wares and tells me "they are made from dog wool". You read that right; socks made from dog wool. So much to learn in this world. The Christmas market is a great opportunity to check out locally designed craft and to buy unique Christmas presents.

Travel Spain – A First-Timer’s Guide to Fuerteventura

Serenity, space, freedom, untouched nature… all attributes one wouldn't expect when talking about Fuerteventura. I find all of this and more. Fuerteventura is after Tenerife the second-largest island of the Canary Islands. The island in the Atlantic Ocean covers an area of 1659.74 square kilometres. One look at the landscape and you instantly feel the closeness to North Africa. To reach the Moroccan coast is a skip and a jump of a mere 120 kilometres. The island enjoys 300 days of sunshine per year. That certainly sounds like Fuerteventura is one of the sunniest places in the world. Sunshine is a true drawcard for many.

98,000 people call Fuerteventura home. Archaeologists concluded that the island was visited thousands of years ago by Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians and Romans. These days, every year, more than eight million foreigners visit the Canary Islands. Fuerteventura is dependent on tourism. It is popular with all the ones who appreciate a stay at an all-inclusive resort. At the airport, I overheard a woman telling another "It is heaven. It is stress-free. They make sure we get to sit at the same table for breakfast during our 14 days stay." I nearly gasped out loud. Some of the coastal areas are built-up entirely with large hotels. In 1973, the first international flights arrived at the airport of Fuerteventura. Today, more than 40 different airlines from 102 destinations come to Fuerteventura.

Films to watch before you visit South Africa

Nothing in this world is easy. South Africa certainly is hard to understand. True, you travel to Cape Town, you travel to Kruger National Park, and you find nice people and exciting wildlife. You can go home and remember it as that lovely place it is. There will be so many questions nagging you. When we visit a place, we like to understand what is going on. We read the papers and facts but also fiction, prose, cookbooks, and all there is... to grasp what makes a country. Another good way to get a better idea of places is to watch a film about it.

I put together a list of films to watch before you visit South Africa. Films (stories) set in location offer more than a travel guide ever can. All films are tried and tested. If you watch all of these and travel to South Africa, you will have a better understanding of the country and you will certainly feel inspired to talk to locals to learn more about the past. Watch sad, gripping, infuriating, and uplifting stories about poverty, crime, gang life, the diamond trade, freedom fighters, adventurers, forgiveness, the healing power of sport, irrational hate, and true leadership.

Films to watch before you visit South Africa